Delhi Police on Monday arrested two people for their alleged involvement in communal clashes that took place in Jahangirpuri area on April 16. The arrested persons have been identified as Sheikh Hameed (36) a scrap dealer and Sonu Chikna (28).
Sheikh Hameed was reportedly involved in supplying bottles which were used for pelting during the clash, while Sonu was nabbed for allegedly firing shots during the violence. According to Usha Rangnani, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Northwest, during investigation, one more accused Hameed was arrested in connection with the case and during interrogation he told the police that he had supplied bottles which were used for pelting. Police also arrested Sonu alias Imam, alias Yunus, a resident of C Block in Jahangirpuri for allegedly firing shots during the communal clashes.
A video had been in circulation on social media since April 17, showing Sonu (in a blue kurta) firing during the riots. The DCP said that Sonu was apprehended by the Special Staff of northwest district police. Meanwhile, earlier in day, Sonu’s family resorted to stone pelting when the policemen went to their house for investigation. “To investigate the matter, a police team of northwest district had gone to the alleged shooter's house on CD Park Road. They were looking for him and wanted to question his family members. However, when police reached there, the family members of Sonu pelted two stones on them, following which police detained one person from the spot,†said a police officer. “Media reports about fresh stone-pelting on Monday are an exaggeration. It was a minor, one-off incident. Legal action is being taken,†said the DCP.
Till now police have arrested a total of 24 accused in connection with violence and total number of arrests also includes that of Mohammad Aslam, who had fired a bullet that hit a Sub-Inspector of Delhi Police. The pistol used by the accused during the commission of the crime was seized from his possession. Besides him, Ansar (35), alleged to be "main conspirator" behind violence, was also arrested, police said. The case is transferred to Crime Branch, while the northwest district police and Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSCO) of the Special Cell will also help them in probing case, police said.
